Do I Need a Solicitor To Apply For British Citizenship?

While it is not strictly a legal requirement to hire a solicitor to apply for British citizenship, doing so is considered essential by those who understand the complexities of the UK immigration system. Applying for UK Citizenship is a time-consuming and surprisingly complex process, calling for the input and expertise of an experienced immigration solicitor.

Those who obtain British Citizenship are afforded the same rights and entitlements as British Nationals. Examples of which include the following among others:

• Overseas protection
• Vote in UK referendums and general elections
• Stand for Parliament in the UK
• Work and live in the UK permanently.

Consequently, the Home Office is meticulous in its scrutiny of every minor detail submitted as part of a British Citizenship application. Countless applicants are rejected annually on the basis of simple technicalities, or for failing to include sufficient supplementary evidence with their applications.

At Barar & Associates, we work tirelessly to ensure every client we support has the best possible chance of a successful outcome. From start to finish, our specialist immigration solicitors will provide the bespoke support and representation you need to simplify one of the UK’s most complex immigration applications.

For more information on the benefits of British Citizenship or to discuss any aspect of your case in more detail, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today.

Why Hire a Solicitor for a British Citizenship Application?

The benefits of hiring an experienced immigration solicitor extend to each and every aspect of a British citizenship application.

Just a few of the services we provide as part of our broader legal support packages include the following:

• Full eligibility checks and application guidance
• Comprehensive support in completing and submitting paperwork
• Assistance obtaining and presenting supporting evidence
• Full representation and communication with the Home Office on your behalf
• Urgent assistance for clients facing time-critical challenges
• Help and support following denied or delayed applications

Importantly, we can advise on the various different pathways that can potentially lead to British Citizenship, and help you choose the most suitable option. With no obligation to go ahead with any of our proposals, we would be delighted to chat with you about the application process in more detail.

Call today for a chat with a member of our team, or email Barar & Associates and we will get back to you as promptly as possible.

How Much Does a Lawyer Charge For a Citizenship Application in the UK?

UK Citizenship applications are charged at a set fee, which in 2022 is £1130. However, this applies only to the basic cost of submitting a British Citizenship application to the Home Office, and does not cover the costs of any legal advice or representation needed to support your application.

The total cost of applying for British Citizenship can therefore vary significantly from one case to the next. Additional fees and charges may be payable along the way, depending on your current circumstances, your background, and your requirements.  For example, if you need to take the Life in the UK Test and the English language test, you will need to pay the required fee.

At Barar & Associates, we work hard to make the British Citizenship application as simple and affordable as possible.  Supporting the cases of clients from all backgrounds, we provide bespoke end-to-end solutions with a flexible fee structure.

For more information on the costs of applying for British Citizenship or to discuss any aspect of your case in more detail, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today.

How Much Do Lawyers Charge for Support with UK Citizenship Applications?

We understand and appreciate the cost concerns shared by most people considering a UK Citizenship application. However, it is impossible to provide even a rough estimate as to how much the legal support you need will cost, without first discussing the specifics of your case.

In some instances, a fairly straightforward UK Citizenship application may call for little more than document checking and evidence screening. Elsewhere, the application process may be much more complex and drawn out, including liaising with the Home Office on behalf of the client on a regular basis.

This is why at Barar & Associates, we offer all new clients an obligation-free initial consultation. During which, the specifics of your case will be discussed, and the extent of the support you need will be determined. With no obligation to go ahead with any of our proposed services or support, we will provide you with a full disclosure of our fee structure, including a fixed quotation for your bespoke legal package.

Call anytime for more information, or email Barar & Associates with a basic overview at your requirements and we will get back to you.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become A British Citizen

The fastest way to become a British citizen is under the Tier I (Investor) Visa pathway, upon making a sizeable investment in a UK-based company. By investing one of the following amounts, it is possible to qualify for settlement in the UK in as little as two years:

• £2,000,000 – entitlement to apply for ILR after 5 years

• £5,000,000 – entitlement to apply for ILR after 3 years

• £10,000,000 – entitlement to apply for ILR after 2 years

Following a year in the UK as a settled person, you may then submit an application for British citizenship. This means an individual from overseas who invests £10 million in a UK-based company could be eligible for citizenship in as little as two years.

However, the typical route to British Citizenship is to spend a minimum of five years in the UK, having been granted indefinite Leave to Remain. This does not necessarily guarantee citizenship, as other requirements need to be met (such as Life in the UK test and proof of language skills).

At Barar & Associates, we can provide you with the expert legal support and representation you need to streamline and simplify your transition to British Citizenship. For more information on any of the above or to discuss UK Citizenship applications in more detail, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today.

Who Can Apply For British Citizenship?

Before submitting an application for UK Citizenship, it is essential to ensure that you fulfil the basic requirements outlined by the Home Office. For example, you will need to:

• Have lived in the UK for at least five years continuously
• Have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK in the five years before you apply
• Have held Indefinite Leave to Remain for a minimum of 12 months
• Have evidence of being in a reasonable financial situation
• Have spent less than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months before you apply
• Be 18 years or older
• Be planning to continue to live in the UK after you get citizenship
• Speak a good level of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
• Have a clean criminal record
• Have passed a Life in the UK test

Eligibility requirements vary from one case to the next, and must be ascertained before submitting a UK Citizenship application.

Call Barar & Associates anytime to learn more about the process of becoming a British citizen, or to discuss any aspect of your case in more detail.

How Much Does British Citizenship Cost?

A standard application fee is payable upon submitting an application for British Citizenship – £1,330 to apply for adult citizenship, or £1,012 for children. For adults submitting UK Citizenship applications, the following costs may also apply in some instances:

• £50 to do the Life in the UK Test
• £19.20 to register your biometric information with the Home Office
• around £150 if you need to sit a formal English language test

In the event of a rejected application, none of the above fees are refundable. Even if your application is declined on a basic technicality (such as entering information in the wrong field on your application form), you will still forfeit the entire payment.

You will also need to pay the same fee once again with any subsequent applications you submit. You will not, however, be required to retake the Life in the UK Test or an English language test, if you were successful the first time around.

At Barar & Associates, our goal is to make it as simple and affordable as possible to negotiate the complexities of British Citizenship applications. We will provide you with the expert support and representation you need to ensure the best possible chance of a successful outcome, however complex or urgent your requirements may be.

If you would like to learn more about British Citizenship costs or have any questions regarding the specifics of your case, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today.

Can I Reduce the Costs of a British Citizenship Application?

All British Citizenship application costs are fixed by the Home Office, and are non-negotiable. You will therefore need to pay the standard fee in order for your application to be processed – £1,330 to apply for adult citizenship, or £1,012 for children.

Hence, it is important to ensure the application you submit is complete, convincing, and accompanied by as much supplementary evidence as possible. Making sure your application is accepted the first time around could save you significant sums of money on subsequent applications, and what could prove to be an even more difficult application process the next time around.

At Barar & Associates, our flexible fee structure accommodates all requirements and budgets. If you have any concerns regarding the costs of applying for British Citizenship or would like to discuss your case in more detail, call or e-mail anytime.

Who Do I Contact About British Citizenship?

Your first port of call for British Citizenship enquiries should always be an experienced immigration solicitor. While there are numerous online portals for advice on visas and immigration applications, none of the information or guidelines provided are case specific. You will only be able to access rudimentary advice at best online, which may or may not have relevance to your own unique case.

At Barar & Associates, we provide all new clients with an obligation-free initial consultation. This provides the perfect opportunity to raise questions and concerns with a skilled solicitor, who can provide the advice you need to gain a better understanding of your rights and entitlements.

If you would like to learn more about applying for British Citizenship or have any questions on how the process works, call Barar & Associates anytime.

Can I Contact the UK Home Office Directly About British Citizenship?

The Home Office publishes a great deal of important information regarding British Citizenship online, which can be useful for gaining a basic overview of current eligibility requirements. However, none of this information is case-specific, and is therefore unlikely to address all of the questions or concerns of a typical applicant.

Elsewhere, the UK government welcomes questions and queries from those looking to gain entry to the UK, extend their stay, or apply for citizenship if already residing in the country:

The official contact information published by GOV.uk is as follows:

·         Main Telephone: 0300 790 6268 – UK Visas and Immigration contact centre

·         Other Telephone: 0808 801 0503 – Asylum Help UK

·         Website: gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

·         Other Website: gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/asylum

In terms of eligibility for British citizenship, the UK Home Office outlines a series of broad conditions under which an individual is entitled to submit an application. Examples of which include the following:

·         You were born in the UK

·         You’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

·         You have indefinite leave to remain (ILR)

·         You have ‘settled status’ under the EU Settlement Scheme

·         You have a British parent

·         You have another type of British nationality

·         You have a parent with British overseas territories citizenship

·         You’re stateless

·         You previously gave up (renounced) your citizenship

But as the fulfilment of any one or more of these requirements does not necessarily guarantee a successful British Citizenship application, it is essential to seek expert legal support at an early stage.

For more information on any of the above or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today.